RFC Summer Semester: Great American Conference (GAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: The second season of Great American Conference (GAC) football was a memorable one, at least for Henderson State (10-1 overall) and Harding (9-2 overall).  Both teams finished the 2012 season no worse than 23rd in either the final AFCA or d2football.com polls.

The Reddies breezed through the regular season undefeated while winning the conference title, only to be ousted in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs by Missouri Western State, 45-21. As for the Bisons, they were beaten soundly by Northwest Missouri State, 35-0, in the first round.

Looking ahead: Entering its third season, the GAC will look to get stronger, as league newcomers Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southern Nazarene continue to move closer to becoming full members of NCAA Division II.  Meanwhile, don't be surprised if Harding and Henderson State square off against each other to decide the conference crown on October 26.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Harding (9-2):  After an early exit from the playoffs last year, the Bisons hope to go even deeper in the postseason this year.  Their last conference championship came in 1972, when they finished 10-1 overall, and 5-1 in what is the now-defunct Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC).

2. Henderson State (10-1):  Reddies look to overcome the disappointing end to 2012.  Head Coach Scott Maxfield (49-35 at HSU), needs just one more win to join the program's 50-win club.

3. Southern Arkansas (8-3):  Muleriders lost all three games by eight points or less (12 points combined) in 2012.  That included a heartbreaking, season-ending loss to D-II transitional member McMurry, in the Heart of Texas Bowl.  Learning how to win the close games is a must if SAU is to be a serious contender for the GAC title in 2013.

4. Ouachita Baptist (6-4):  At 6-0, the Tigers appeared headed toward an undefeated regular season.  But four straight losses sent them into a sad season-ending tailspin.  The goal for head coach Todd Knight and the Tigers is finish what they started in 2013.

5. East Central (6-5):  After ending last season with three straight wins, the Tigers hope to pick up where they left off, and challenge for a conference crown this season.

6. Arkansas Tech (5-6):  Former Kutztown head coach Raymond Monica has been brought in to rebuild the stagnant Wonder Boys football program.  With just one winning season dating back to 2007, and only two seasons with at least nine wins since 2004, it looks like the rebuilding process might be a long one.

7. Southwestern Oklahoma State (3-7):  Head Coach Dan Cocannouer and the Bulldogs found themselves just three losses by 10 points or less away from having a winning record last season.  It'll be interesting to see how this season will turn out for them.

8. Southeastern Oklahoma State (4-6):  The Savage Storm will look to move forward following a two-game improvement (2-8 in 2011) from a year ago.  Their last winning season was in 2009, when they finished 7-4 overall.

9. Arkansas-Monticello (1-10):  The Boll Weevils crushed the College of Faith, 78-0, to open the 2012 season, but it quickly went downhill from there, losing 10 straight games. They face a long, uphill battle to climb out of the GAC cellar in 2013.

Not eligible for GAC title

Northwestern Oklahoma State (3-7):  Tough 2013 slate includes a November 2 date at Pittsburg State (Kan.).  Oh, and the Rangers won four in a row (if you count a win over the Air Force junior varsity to end 2012 after starting 0-7.  Maybe, just maybe, that streak will carry over into 2013.

Southern Nazarene (2-9):  Crimson Storm must face four teams that finished 2012 with winning records within the first five weeks of 2013.

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